Inclusive Design aims to ensure that the design needs of the largest possible audience are addressed.
Developing countries contribute about 41% of the global population and the percentage of older
people and people with disabilities is increasing, which further highlights the need for an inclusive
design approach. This discusses the demographics and the need to consider the design needs of this
large segment of the world population. Exploration of drivers and barriers to inclusive design are
identified so that strategies can be devised to promote drivers and remove barriers. This ongoing
research will be based on a survey that will be used to collect manufacturer’s perspective on these
issues. Data analysis will provide an opportunity to understand the manufacturer’s perspective and
how understanding and awareness can be increased. This research will improve the lives of people in
developing countries and will highlight business opportunities for local and international
manufacturing companies.

Description:

This is a conference paper. The conference website is at: http://www.solent.ac.uk/conference-centre/events/icmr-2014/icmr-2014.aspx

Sponsor:

This research is carried out in collaboration with the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing
Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan; Wolfson School of
Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, UK; Engineering Design
Centre and Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, UK; and Lady Aitchison Hospital,
King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.